80 Years of Race Experience to Compete in Suzuka 8 Hours

Kevin Schwantz Flying the Colors on a Grand Prix Victory Lap

Almost 80 years would be more accurate, and it will be a very good story to watch unfold. Kevin Schwantz, 48, will join Noriyuki Haga and Yukio Kagayama, both 38 now, will race for Suzuki at the iconic Suzuka 8 Hours on 28 July. All riders have experience at the circuit, and all are among the top talents in the history of the sport - motorcycle racers which no one will forget - but they are also in the upper end of the racing age spectrum. These men are all professional, though, and will race to win. If only it were televised...the potential for record book writing is there!

http://tinyurl.com/c5zfc8p

Akira Lives!

This dedicated fan spent US$121,000 and seven years building his dream machine...and it rides! Some criticise its size and that it is not a perfect replica of Akira's motorcycle (if you have to ask, look it up), but I say that Masashi Teshima realized a dream - made it real! - and gets to live with it and even share it with the world. Personally, I think this artist deserves full credit for all he has accomplished!

http://tinyurl.com/76dyhxe

http://tinyurl.com/bob2y36

MotoGP Japan Grand Prix at Motegi is POSTPONED

Dorna and the FIM announced last night that the Motegi round of the 2010 MotoGP Championship - the Japanese Grand Prix - has been postponed due to the ash covering the European airspace. The race weekend was to be 23 - 25 April 2010, but it will held 1 - 3 October instead. The large Icelandic eruption has caused most flights to be cancelled in Europe for safety reasons and it has now pushed the MotoGP management to push the Japan Grand Prix back to later in the year when the teams will be on a fly-away trip to Malaysia and Australia. Be glad you are not in F1, though, as they seem to be trapped in China for the time being - at least the MotoGP teams are close to home in Europe!

http://tinyurl.com/y3ml538

2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200S Ride & Motocorse Monster 1100 Titanium!

Here we ave another impression on the new Ducati Multistrada 1200. The odd aura around this machine seems to be holding back the big mag reviews. Must be waiting to sell some serious ads; that makes sense. This is a first impression of the Multistrada S model - the one I want - and it is a bit short. However, it is a nice rational look at this beast. Take the link and read it for yourself. (You already know that the author will drool over this of all bikes.)

http://tinyurl.com/yebczap

This comes right out of Japan and Italy; the new machine of the moment from the brilliant folks at Motocorse have produced a rather severely beautiful and light Ducati Monster 1100. It is tricked out with all of their best kit and is loaded with titanium (obviously) and carbon fibre - saving nearly 29 lb. of weight. Put these Japanese artists to work with the Italian artists and the work of Motocorse is what you get - abject beauty. Take the link and learn the rest of the specs. No price has yet been announced, but if you have to ask...

http://tinyurl.com/y8z7vyp

First Modified 2010 Honda CB1100 Released from Mugen

Mugen may or may not be familiar to you, but they are very closely related to Honda's automotive and motorcycle divisions (Mugen was started by Mr. Honda's son). They have produced a modified 2010 CB1100 to show the products they have available for the new retro-mod motorcycle and it looks good. Take a look and then hope that you may one day get to purchase one of these in the USA or UK...

http://tinyurl.com/ycy74tl

Wednesday Night Moto News - Honda in Ohio, Shifcustom Duster & Dal Smilie

Honda's former Goldwing factory in Marysville, Ohio, has now become a parts center for the auto factory next door. The factory has been in the city for over 30 years now...and, it really was a shame when they moved production to Japan. But, they have to do what they have to do...

http://tinyurl.com/y8zbmzv

Well, it is not my dream machine, but it is certainly creative! The Shifcustom Duster hails from Eastern Europe and the fabrication is done all in house. The builder is using it as a showpiece. A Ducati Monster S4 provides its engine for the machine. It's got its strong points, but white?

http://tinyurl.com/y9bvlfl

Former AMA Chairman of the Board is now serving time behind bars as opposed to in them. After the lengthy trial and some wrangling, he has plead guilty and will serve at least 30 days of an eight month sentence - he can apply for early release after his first month. Considering his crimes, it seems a fair sentence...but, he did pay the money back.

http://tinyurl.com/yho9ofj

And, More Evening News - Rizla Suzuki Riders & 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré

The MotoGP Rizla Suzuki team riders stopped in Japan at the Suzuki factory in Hamamatsu to tour the factory, meet the people working there, and to meet with the race department ahead of their test in Malaysia. There are some issues which Loris Capirossi and Alvaro Bautista want to work out before they begin their work at the Sepang IC. For more, please take the link...

http://tinyurl.com/yfso36w

Finally, Yamaha has unveiled one of the most anticipated bikes this season, the 2010 XT1200Z Super Tenere! It is meant to be a direct competitior to the R1200GS from BMW, as you already know. Of course, there is the Ducati offering as well...and Moto Morini...and Moto Guzzi....it's getting veyr crowded in this popular segment these days. This is one sweet machine, though...

http://tinyurl.com/yzg5nom

More Afternoon Moto News - Yamaha Slashes 1000 Jobs & Ducshop Racing

Yamaha Motor Company is having to take further cuts to their workforce due to their continuing financial woes - due to the worldwide recession. These lay-offs actually include the earlier announcement of 800 job cuts in Japan, but they are also taking 200 more away from their foreign operations. Yamaha will also close 12 parts factories in Shizuoka prefecture. Let's hope that their sales pick up this year and they can hire back some of the people they are losing now.

http://tinyurl.com/yevjnbm

Ducshop Racing will be fielding two Ducati 848 motorcycles in the 2010 AMA Pro Racing Daytona SportBike class. Their two riders will be Jake Holden and Ducati test rider Dario Marchetti. Of course, they are using many products from their own catalog to improve the bikes, but the rules only allow so much. They will be in Daytona for the Daytona 200 race weekend and will be participating in all race activities.

http://tinyurl.com/ykfl2zc

More Morning Moto News - Yoshimura Japan, Rossi and Lorenzo, & Aprilia and BMW

The famed Yoshimura Japan team, which is made up of various riders and the best Suzuki equipment in the paddock, will also be taking on three rounds of the World Superbike Championship. We had heard rumors last year about this and it has now been confirmed. They will use BSB rider Yukio Kagayama at Assen and Magny Cours and Daisaku Sakai will race for them at Imola. For more details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yb4tztt

Well, now that we all know that the Fiat Yamaha garage might as well be split in two and moved far apart given that neither Lorenzo's or Rossi's teams will share data with each other, we might wonder how the riders feel. Well, Rossi is OK with it, but Lorenzo does not understand why they did it. He feels that the team would be better served by them sharing data and improving the YZR-M1 for both of them...

http://tinyurl.com/y8aqt87

Neither Aprilia nor BMW have released any information on whether they will enter the MotoGP series now that the 2012 rules will allow them to put their machines up against the other manufacturer's prototypes. It is a bit odd, but it is probably because they are still studying the move to see if it would benefit them or simply cost them a fortune.

http://tinyurl.com/y8ssaxe

More Afternoon Moto News - Rossi in India & Yamaha Motor Japan and Australia

Valentino Rossi was in India a few weeks ago to attend a local show and tour around the Indian Yamaha dealers to spur more interest in their machines. While he was there, he took time to speak with John Abraham - a HUGE Indian celebrity - and even signed a book for him. The two spoke with each other about motorcycle safety and how to improve it in India. With the momentum provided by the high-profile meeting, they may actually get a message through to the Indian riding public!

http://tinyurl.com/ykvujv5

Some more from Rossi about the test and a bit about his future plans: http://tinyurl.com/y9d9zym

Yamaha Motor Company is asking some 800 employees to voluntarily retire - thus removing some 7% of their workforce in Japan. This comes on the heels of several reports of financial issues at the company. Hopefully, they will do right by the workers they are asking to retire and give them an excellent severance package!

http://tinyurl.com/ycfyy56

Even with the financial issues, Yamaha in Australia knows that you have to spend some money to make alot of money. The manufacturer will continue to support the Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) and has signed again, but with some help from Motorcycling Australia. The AORC series is growing year over year and this will only help its stability.

http://tinyurl.com/y8tvlsj

More and More Moto News - Yamaha Contingency and US Dealers

This post is all Yamaha. First off, there are more details on the Graves Yamaha contingency program now in place in the WERA Endurance series. It pays US$5000 to the winner of the Mediumweight Superbike Class, if you are on a Yamaha. The next Yamaha contingency program is the US$52,250 they have allocated for the top 3 finishers from the amateur to pro ranks in the AMA GNCC series - that consists of 10 classes paying contingency if you are riding a bike from the tuning fork company. Goos news for racers in need of extra cash - and who isn't!?!

http://tinyurl.com/yaptkkl

http://tinyurl.com/y8lclvw

Yamaha has decided that they want to increase their dealer network in the US by some 70%! They are after more sales, better service and improve inventory practices. They will be working with current dealers first - to expand the floorspace for Yamahas - then will look to adding dealerships where they are under-served.

http://tinyurl.com/yecvld2

Friday and Looking for Suzuki GSX-Rs & Vesrah Suzuki Leaving!

MotorcycleUSA is looking for several Suzuki models for a 25 year celebration of the GSX-R motorcycle model line. They are, specifically searching for pre-2008 model years and you should be in SoCal or Medford, Oregon (I am not making that up). Just check the link...I wish I could go and watch...and ride!

http://tinyurl.com/ygll5mx

Eight championships in 9 years with three perfect seasons and 76 race wins. Vesrah Suzuki is withdrawing from WERA National Endurance Series. They only say that they are "...looking forward to a new challenge..." They are an modern institution in the series and have had a huge number of great racers on their team - take the link to catch the list as I simply do not have enough room. I truly hope that they are moving into some other motorcycle racing discipline - they will be missed.

http://tinyurl.com/yj72qeh

More Friday Afternoon Moto News - Honda, Adventure and the BMW R1200GS Adventure

First, a trip to the past - again - to look at Honda's racing heritage. This is an incredibly detailed look into Honda's early racing experiences in Japan and their preparation for Soichiro Honda's goal of racing in - and winning - the Isle of Man TT. There is some great information here about the models raced in Japan during those early years and some of the great racers from the factory. Read it and you will learn something...

http://tinyurl.com/ycq3gez

A story of Ivan Pisarenko and his attempts at riding the continental divide (see previous post on another attempt). See, he had many problems during his riding experiences and has managed to come back and try again and again. This man is determined and has also become a sort of folk hero. He even took time during his journey to earn money to continue it...it's an inspiring story and one which should be written about in a book.

http://tinyurl.com/yb5blps

http://tinyurl.com/yfgymmp

And, finally for this post, another riding impression of a BMW - and an appropriate model considering the previous story - the R1200GS Adventure. What an amazing machine! However, it will have to compete with even more similarly focused motorcycles coming from the likes of Ducati, Moto Guzzi, Moto Morini and more. However, the fact that this machine is adventure-proven does make it a very good choice for riding anywhere you want to go...

http://tinyurl.com/yac7p78

Wednesday Afternoon Roundup of Moto News - Supercross and Yamaha

Looking for more information on the 2010 AMA Supercross season? Well, look no further than the linked article - at least for now. This is a great summary of what has changed since 2009, and how those changes have been implemented. Some of the biggest changes are the teams and riders for 2010. But, the fact that almost every racer in the series is at 100% or better health is probably some of the best news to come out of the article. How often does that happen?

http://tinyurl.com/yc42h2k

Yamaha Motors in Japan is in the midst of yet another change in their management structure. This has been an ongoing process since the third quarter of 2009, so it is not totally unexpected. President Tsuneji Togamiis being replaced by Hiroyuki Yanagi, but Togamiis will be back in the spring if his medical situation allows it - though, in what capacity remains a mystery.

http://tinyurl.com/ye2rrxj

Since this is all over the Ducati motorcycle news I figure that I should post it here as well. For a New Year celebration in Los Angeles, Ducati put together a band - known as the 'Ducati All Stars' and consisting of many members of past musical super-groups who also ride Ducati motorcycles (whether they actually pay for them is a very good question to ask) - and held a huge concert at the Roxy. They are also planning more such shows around North America.

http://tinyurl.com/yjsv7qa

Very sarcastic and funny opinion piece on this event: http://tinyurl.com/yby2gfo

The New Year's Eve Afternoon - News from the Moto World

Yep, even more news on this 31 December 2009...

English Triumph dealer Jack Lilley has now finished his usual custom line-up for us. With this one, he took a 2009 Triumph Bonneville SE and Scrambler and painted and upgraded them for sale to the public. The paint on these machines is worth the extra £, which is not much anyway. He has also changed items like the exhaust, tires, seats, and much more. Really, you should take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yaplv3f

And, there is another custom (featured before on this blog) which Roland Sands will be donating for the PBTF as he does every year. This one is a CBR1000RR (Fireblade in the rest of the world) Streetfighter which he has chopped, cut and painted to look just spectacular. It even maintains its huge power characteristics. You will see it up for auction in 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yby3vl6

There is also news from the TT organizers, the Auto Cycle Union, and the Isle of Man Department of Tourism about the Isle of Man in 2010. There are plenty of events lined up - enough to even make you miss the races - for 2010, so make sure to make your arrangements yesterday - well, as soon as you are able!

http://tinyurl.com/ydm4o3n

And, to finish off this post we have a look into the Honda Collection Hall at the Twin Ring Motegi in Japan. The author was fortunate enough to get a chance to see it while in Japan for the press introduction of the 2010 VFR1200F. It's worth a visit and, if you cannot get there anytime soon, a read.

http://tinyurl.com/yd8g9lm

Honda Will Not Increase Funding for MotoGP Effort

This is a rare bit of news. Honda - one of the world's foremost motorcycle racing powerhouses - will not be increasing their budget for the 2010 MotoGP Championship. Honda claims that this is due to the depressed economy, which is completely believable when you see their recent quarterly results. However, this does not bode well for Dani Pedrosa, who was a real threat for the title in 2009.

http://tinyurl.com/yboevg9

Old-School Video of Kawasaki Z1000 and Z1100R Testing in Japan

MCN (UK) brought this to my attention, and even they are not sure of the exact year of the video. But, they believe it could have been during the last decade of the 20th century. Either way, it is surely a fun video to watch!

http://tinyurl.com/yc39ark

China Is Part of 2010 Honda VFR1200F Sales Plan

It's true, Honda will be selling the 2010 Honda VFR1200F in China as soon as possible. The first target is, of course, Europe (the price will be an issue) and the US, but China is firmly on that list. Until recently, only motorcycles with smaller displacements were allowed in Chinese cities, so this is a big deal for them and the motorcycle riders of China.

http://tinyurl.com/y9ttcxz

Honda to Source Larger-Displacement Motorcycle Parts from India

This is due to the nasty sour economy, so it is not entirely unexpected. Of course, it also makes sense, unfortunately. Honda of Japan may begin to import parts from India and other nations where they have operating factories to save money. Costs have become so high and income so low that they may have no choice. It is not official, yet, though. Knowing Honda, though, it is very unlikely that quality will suffer.

http://tinyurl.com/y9a9t7y

Closer to Being Confirmed: Volkswagen Taking 20% Stake in Suzuki

Supposedly this is from a trusted source and all we are waiting for is the official announcement. How far reaching it is and such is not known yet. This is really all we have is guesswork and - possibly - assumptions. So, take it with a grain of salt as to it accuracy, but the overall idea - that VW will pick up a huge share of Suzuki - is likely spot on.

http://tinyurl.com/ycvbwrg